destiny_west

Firstly I have to say that whoever cut the theatrical trailer for Blink Twice needs their job reevaluated. The trailer did not do this film any justice at all. I did not want to even see this film because the trailer made it look like some cheesy, boring horror flick. I have to wonder how many other moviegoers were turned away by it. Zoë Kravitz you are brilliant, do more horror. I know with the current news, people are speculating if this is actually based on current events in the media, and I too am wondering, but I regress. I have never been a fan of Channing Tatum, but in his role as Slater - wow. This man was born to play a psychopath. This film had me intrigued from beginning to end, and totally messed up in-between. This is real horror. Psychological, body, trauma, mind-breaking horror. It deserves better reviews than what it is getting. Please check it out, don't base your opinion on the trailer.

Apartment 7A manages to perfectly feed into the tone of Rosemary's Baby with such incredible encompassing use of all the cinematic elements available from actors to set design, music, to lighting. It is like it breathes the same oxygen and holds its breath at the same time. I do not see how it could have been done any better than this. Even though I enjoyed The Omen prequel, it lacked the ability to captivate the tone of the original Omen film, this is something Apartment 7A perfected. It is like there is no space between the films. Julia Garner was so captivating in the role of Terry Gionoffrio, she had another worldly way about her, that filled the screen.

Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally as Minnie and Roman Castevet were beyond creepy. I absolutely adore Dianne Wiest, so it was quite troubling to see her in this role, especially when her character would snap from the overly sickly sweet motherly Minnie, to the evil, wicked Satanic witch. I honestly can not recommend this film enough. It is perfection, and deserves its place in what will become a horror classic in the future.

When I saw the trailer for The Front Room I was immediately intrigued, so when I saw it available to watch I knew it was a must for me. This film is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. The one thing I will say about it is that I was never bored watching it. Kathryn Hunter as Solange was wickedly funny and creepy, she definitely put Brandy's character Belinda through the mill. Basically, the film is about a couple battling financially and expecting their rainbow baby when the husband's estranged father passes away leaving the frail aged, and wicked stepmother alone. They can have all the money if they agree to take the stepmother (Solange) into their home and care for her until her death. With some hesitation they agree, and at first, everything seems fine, though of course, Solange seems a tad eccentric, to say the least, that is until all hell breaks loose. Honestly, I can think of worse ways to spend 90 minutes, and to see what Belinda has to put up with is well worth it. No, it's not a mind-blowing scary horror film, but it is definitely not the worst horror film of the year.

I hesitated on watching It Ends with Us because knowing it was adapted from a book, I felt that perhaps I should read the book first before going into the film. However, I decided to try it and see if it would inspire me to read the book, as from what I had read from the reviews I knew it was not something I would normally pick up and read. I understand that there was some flack regarding the adaption straying from the book, and I know as an avid reader and writer, it can wound one greatly when that occurs. Saying that, in my case, I was going into it without having that misfortune, as I was getting to know the story for the first time. I have only come to like Blake Lively in recent years, probably since The Shallows and Age of Adeline. I have to say that I found the storyline interesting, it kept my attention, I was invested in her character and concerned for the welfare of Atlas. I would have liked to have known more about the relationship between Lily's parents, it was clear it was abusive, but it was never really explained. The one thing that the film did was inspired me to want to read the book so that I could learn more about the characters, so surely that is a good thing. Regardless, I did enjoy the film and would recommend it.

When I became aware of the bad reviews for Joker: Folie à Deux I did not bother to read them. I know that when it comes to reviews I tend to hate the movies that get glowing reviews, for example - Late Night With the Devil (an absolute waste of time) I don't need to be spoonfed films, I can use my imagination, and even though I do have ADD, I don't need films to punch me in the face continually. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck (Joker) with undeniable striking talent and screen presence, with Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel shining just as brightly, and forever more reigning as Harley Quinn. Her ability to embrace mental illness all-encompassing was mesmerizing, from the look in her eyes to the pallor of her skin, to the condition of her hair. Her insane fan Girling for the Joker was demented and scary. Witnessing Arthur Fleck struggle with the need to feel wanted and be true to himself was watching him on his course of self-destruction. Knowing his gut was telling him, warning him, but he just had to keep touching the open flame. The use of the musical scenes to denote his delusions was brilliant. All Arthur aspired to be was a performer, it only seemed fitting that his delusions be illustrated that way. The original Joker film, I found had almost a musical undertone to it. No there was no bursting into songs, but it was expressed in Arthur's movements, that at times were like Expressive dance. If you truly loved the first film, I can not see why you do not love this film just as much. Even the ending was sheer perfection, I don't want to put any spoilers in here. But if you haven't seen the film, make sure you watch carefully and keep an eye on the background.

Joker: Folie à Deux does not deserve bad reviews, people need to open their eyes and use their brains more. Don't let the bad reviews stop you from seeing this film. I know I am definitely going back to the cinema to see it again. I truly hope that Phillips does not give up on the DC universe because of the haters.

I love the original Beetlejuice film, so I was a touch hesitant going to see this. I think my hesitancy came from watching the trailer, it did little for me. I am a huge Burton fan, and I adore Keaton and O'Hara, so I knew I had to venture to watch it. Well, what can I say? I was absolutely over the moon. I would go to say that it holds par with the original film. Yes there are a few things I would have changed, like updating Lydia's hairdo, and I think the underlying story featuring Burton's partner Monica was really not needed and kind of had a fizzled-out ending to that part of it. Keaton is a star, he was perfection once again as Beetlejuice. And let's not forget BOB, he was a highlight of the whole film. O'Hara was exquisite as always, and Ryder was great too. I don't think casting Ortega as Lydia's daughter was smart, I just don't like crossing over universes, so be either Wednesday or Lydia's daughter, not both. I think the use of images of Jeffrey Duncan Jones was a bit tasteless. I think it could have been avoided completely.

Eddie Izzard is amazing in the dual role of Nina Jekyll and Rachael Hyde in Doctor Jekyll. Scott Chambers as Rob is a breath of fresh air. As the film is primarily about these two characters, they did well bouncing off one another. I loved this translation of the Jekyll and Hyde story. Initially, I thought it was going to be a series not a movie. The film is quite a slow burn up until the three-quarter mark where it really takes off. And when it does take off, there is no looking back at all. The understated brutality hits you square in the face and I have to say I did laugh aloud with joy. This adaption though in my opinion not as good as the James Nesbitt Jeckyl, is still one that I would highly recommend.

Nicole Kidman shines in The Perfect Couple alongside a stellar cast in this fantastic whodunnit short series on Netflix. From the first ten minutes of The Perfect Couple I was completely drawn in and addicted, I was actually sad to reach the end of the last episode. The writing was clever and imaginative, the acting was flawless. It led you around in clever ways as you tried to work out who the murderer was. As you work through each episode, you feel like a detective crossing suspects off your list. I loved how the series evolved and unraveled. Eve Hewson also gives a stunning performance as Amelia Sacks, I loved her in the brilliant series Behind her eyes. I honestly can't recommend The Perfect Couple enough.

I am firmly going to say that I rather enjoyed the first part of The Deliverance. The cast was all fantastic, Glenn Close was marvelous in her role as Alberta, and Andra Day was great as Ebony. The troubled relationship between this mother and daughter duo was well acted. The actors playing the kids were also very good. I loved this film when everything was quite sedated. It has a creepy vibe to it, then things got carried away and unbelievable and it really took you out of things. Once young Andre was climbing the walls and the other two kids levitating, I was yawning. This film would have been so much better if they had kept things understated and not got carried away. I understand that this is meant to be based on a true story. I just preferred the subtle behavioral changes, I felt they were far creepier than the over-the-top demonic stuff.

I had put off watching Fly Me to the Moon for a while. I knew that I needed to be in a particular mood to watch it, so finally last night was the night. I was pleasantly surprised and was not bored once during the film. The whole cast was fantastic, Scarlett is absolutely gorgeous in her role as Kelly. Though no one is particularly based on any real character, it was still a very fascinating film to watch. I loved how they managed to work the 'fake moon-landing' into the film as well, with also the nod to Kubrick. I honestly recommend this film if you love a romantic, fun, and quirky film based around man's first trip to the moon.

Shyamalan has redeemed himself with Trap. After watching the film "Old" I was feeling rather despondent when it came to his films, though the series Servant sparked my love of him again. When I saw the trailer for Trap, I was intrigued, but not overly excited. I did not want to get my hopes up in regards to this film, however, it completely exceeded my expectations on all levels. Josh Hartnett as Cooper is terrifyingly brilliant in the role. His ability to switch from a seemingly loving father to a soulless psychopath is chilling. I want to see him in more horror films in these kinds of roles. Though there isn't the predictable Shyamalan twist, though some of you might call it that. I still loved this film and would have to put it in my top films of 2024.

I can't rave enough about this television series. Each episode follows a different natural disaster in America, all in real-time thanks to people's mobile phones, news reports, doorbell cameras, etc. I have never been so on the edge of my seat during a series, it has you feeling a whole mixture of emotions. It is unbelievable to think about what people go through and come out of the other end with a story to tell. I binge-watched the whole first season in two days, I hope we get another season soon. If you love things about storm watching, or anything about disasters then please watch this series, you will not be disappointed.

I was unsure as to if I wanted to watch The Last Breath, I have really had it up to here with shark movies of late. I get it that everyone wished they had made Jaws, but they didn't. Anyway, I decided to give this a go as I could always turn it off if it were so bad. I was pleasantly surprised though. A group of friends got into trouble by diving into an old warship wreck and being stalked by sharks while running low on oxygen. The acting wasn't bad, some of the CGI was pretty bad quality. However, overall it was an enjoyable film to watch, even though the ending was truly a bit blah. The Last Breath would have to be one of the better shark movies of late.

I knew from the trailer how this film was going to go down. I was not holding out much hope. I don't understand why movies with older men in it can be given decent scripts, then you get a cast that is so magical in the older leading lady department, especially Sarandon and Midler and you deliver something so poorly written it hurts my brain. These women deserve scripts of a higher caliber. Not mindless dribble, that is laughs void and storyline vacant. Was it as bad as Summer Camp? NO, but it still failed to deliver, I even cringed at certain moments. Please, Please writers, write better scripts for these stars.

I remember the day Alien: Romulus was announced and since that day, I waited, counting down the days until I could be there opening day in the cinema to behold this creation. I stopped watching the trailers after the 2nd one, reason being that I wanted to have some surprise left for me. Trailers nowadays have a tendency to show you all the good bits, I didn't want any spoilers. I am not saying that I disliked the film, I didn't. Was I disappointed? Yes. There were unnecessary quotes from the original films, that just left me feeling blah. The underwhelming lead actress Cailee Spaeny, who quite frankly failed miserably in delivering a leading role. The fact that most of the cast were killed off so quickly, that it made the film become quite boring. A) because you know Spaeny's character of Rain is not going to die, so that only leaves one potential victim left and B) because there was not enough Xenomorph action. Then please do not get me started on the face huggers, and the ability to swat them away like flies. Come on! Also the fact that even the Xenomorph's were quite easy to exterminate with a few blasts of a gun. Then we get to the potholes. The Company have left a space station out in space carrying their precious black goo for over 170 days without sending out a salvage mission??? Come on.. if you can't get the plot together, don't think playing lip service to the fans will compensate for that. I know there has been a lot of backlash in regards to Ash. Crazy, considering that was one of the main things about the film that made sense. I have to also say that David Jonnson as Andy was fantastic, and would have to be my favourite character in the film. I felt no connection to the others, no concern for their welfare. There was also the lack of the stalk. There was no sense of impending danger. This movie could have been so much better. Imagine if the young ones had met a salvage team sent to get the goo and it was them pitted against one another whilst also dealing with the xenomorphs, then as the character numbers dwindle they have to join forces to try and survive. I know I'm going to be booed and hissed over my opinion of this film. Believe me, as an Alien fan it hurts. I saw Alien on a Betamax as a kid when it was first released! I remember the excitement of having a fast forward and a slow motion button the Betamax that had us playing with the chest-bursting scene for ages! It hurts me to have been so disappointed by Alien: Romulus. Of course, I will still buy it on Bluray to add to the collection and I will try and watch it again and hopefully view it more favorably. I just hated the fact that I was actually bored so much watching this film.

I have to admit that I watched the first 2 seasons of Evil and then put it to rest for a while, before recently picking it up again after a friend mentioned they had started watching it. I am certainly glad that I did, now like most other fans I am waiting patiently for the next episode to drop and hoping that there will be a true season 5, as the last 4 episodes of season 4 are meant to be a mini-series 5. I enjoy most of the cast, apart from the child actors who mostly annoy the crap out of me, I guess they are meant too, so they are doing a good job. I love the trio of Kristen, David and Ben and what they encounter each episode, and of course the dynamic between David and Kristen. I have to say though that Sister Agatha has become a firm favourite with me of late. If you love a good horror series that has different story episodes but ties them altogether, then check Evil out. Let's hope that it gets picked up for another season.

Widow Clicquot is an adaption of a true story about Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, who was to become known as the "Grande Dame of Champagne". Widowed after her mentally ill husband commits suicide, Barbe-Nicole must take on the male hierarchy to have control over her deceased husband's vineyard and in doing so continue with their quest to create something great, during a time when Napoleon had blocked trade routes. Haley Bennet was superb as Barbe-Nicole, you felt her power and her grief. I have to say she reminds me of Jennifer Lawrence in looks. The whole cast was fantastic, if you love historical dramas about strong women, I highly recommend it.

I had been waiting with anticipation to see The Devil's Bath, from the trailer it looked like a film that I would enjoy. However, it was not what I expected, which is good. For horror films, it is a slow burn. If you are looking for a film with constant gore and horror elements, then this film is not for you. If you like your horror-educated and history-based, then give this a watch. The acting is superb and after watching the film it had me researching the true case of Agnes and the whole concept of suicide by proxy for religious salvation. Absolutely fascinating film and the rituals involved were somewhat macabre but highly captivating.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by Twisters, and I could say that I actually prefer it to the original (cue the boos and hisses) I found Twisters to be very action-packed and the special effects very effective. I liked that it was not overly sloppy. I wasn't particularly interested in the dynamics of 'love' relationships. In the original - the love triangle between Hunt, Paxton, and Gertz got tiring. I liked the undertones of perspective romance between Tyler and Kate, without it graduating into any hanky panky. I enjoyed the characters and the continual onslaught of tornados. There was truly not a dull moment in the film and I highly recommend it.

I am so impressed with a Quiet Place Day One, it is definitely my favourite installment in this series. It has a subtle understatement that the others don't have. I think it is also interesting to have it from other's perspectives, especially someone who's days are already numbered. Lupita Nyong'o as Samira was fantastic, and with her sidekick Frodo, you immediately form an attachment to them. Joseph Quinn was also great as Eric. It has been a long time since I have watched a horror film that I wanted people to survive. I highly recommend this one, I hope we get to see more of Eric and Frodo in a cross over of characters.

I had heard a lot of hype about Long Legs. Would it be good though? And how could it possibly be so with Nic Cage in it? Don't get me wrong I like Cage, however, he is no stellar actor. Regardless, I went in hoping for the best and enjoyed the film. Visually it is spectacular, the shots are perfect and so is the overall tone of the film. Yet when we strip everything back to basics, Maika Monroe 'made' this film. Her acting was marvelous, her nervous awkwardness was captivating. She reeked emotionally troubled by past trauma. Nic Cage was good, but not as good as I was hoping he would be. Would I watch it again? Yes in a heartbeat. I recommend this film, but only if you can handle slow burns.

I don't know what was going on with this installment of Godzilla and Kong, but it failed to hit the mark for me. I don't think that the CGI was anywhere as realistic as it was in previous Kong and Godzilla movies, and the introduction of the baby ape was just so blah and poorly done as well. I found this movie overall very irritating. I saw in another review about removing humans from it. I have to totally agree with that. Let's go back to it being more about the monsters rather than the humans, and stop introducing crap things like baby apes. It's not appealing. We want Kong and Godzilla action with the other monsters.

Yes, everyone wishes they had made The Exorcist. I have seen some absolute rubbish exorcism films in my time, and let's face it there has been a lot. No one has been able to capture the creepiness of the original Exorcist film. When this one was announced, I was a bit like blah. I thought maybe it was too soon for Russell straight off The Pope's Exorcist movie. I had also read some less than kind reviews. But the bad reviews are wrong. I really enjoyed this film. Crowe was genuinely creepy in his role as the has-been actor, with an addiction problem and a shrouded traumatic childhood. The whole cast was good. I'm not sure why people are hating on it. It is definitely a film I would watch again. Don't listen to the bad reviews and don't go into it thinking it will be as good as The Exorcist. It is definitely better than The Exorcist reboot though. Far superior in fact.

I had been putting off watching Moonfall, I finally took the plunge and I am glad that I did. Was it a load of far out, craziness? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Come on people don't take things so seriously. For a disaster film this movie hit all the marks, it has conspiracy theories, the pending end of the world, disaster shots, and characters you could somewhat invest yourself in. It was a fun ride. Was it the best disaster film of this kind? No, but I wasn't bored in the slightest watching it. This film was not made to win awards for drama or acting, it was just a disaster film. If you just go along for the crazy ride you are bound to enjoy yourself.

Le Vourdalak is an absolute masterpiece of a film. I was enchanted from the very first moment until the end. It kept my attention every step of the way. So mesmerizing. The acting was superb, the storyline was magnificent. Everything about this film is visually beautiful. If you love vampire films that are a little quirky, and if you love historical/period pieces then you will fall head over heels in love with this film. It is very rare that a film manages to hold my full attention without me glancing at my phone. I highly recommend The Vourdalak. It is one I know I will be watching again and again. Perfection.